Regulator for electric circuits.



H. 1). JAMES. REGULATOR PQE BLBQTRIQ GIRGUITS. APPLICATION FILED FEB. 3 1910. 1,116,432, Patented H0110, 1914.

3 SHEETSSHBET 1.

MAJ

ATTORNEY H. D, JAMES. REGULATOR FUR ELECTRIC CIRCUITS.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 3,1910. 1,1 1 6,432.

Patented Nov. 10,

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

!NVENTOR 7 ATTORNEY H. 1). JAMES.

REGULATOR FOR ELECTRIC CIRCUITS.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 3,1910.

1, 1 1 6,432. Patented Nov. 10, 1914.

3 HTS-SHEET 3.

WITNESSES:

INVE TOR 444 ],7 W

ATTORNEY 25 festive nieans for transmitting the energy UNITED s r urns PATENT curi s.

HENRY I). JAMES, OF PITTSBURGH, TEENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOB. T0 WES"IIlil'GrE-TOUSE ELECTRIC AND MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLV 162.13.

REGULATOR FOR- ELECTRIC CIRCUITS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov, 19,

Application filed February 3, 1910. Serial No. 541,832.

former regulators as embody relatively movable primary and secondary windings in inductive relation and are known as induction regulators. y

One obg'ect, of my invention is to provide a regulator of the class above indicated, embodying a continuously operating motor of minimum capacity for automatically edjusting the relative positions of the windings in nesponse o a meter relay, or other: equivalent device, which is sensitive to potential or other variations in the circuit with which the regulator is associated.

A; second object of my invention is to provide relatively simple and articularly effrom the continuously operating regulator motor to the movable winding of the regulator.

in addition to the foregoing, it is my aim to make the regulator motor and'the 1nter-.

posed transmission gearing constitute an independ 5 part of the aopvaratus in order 1 d that may he detscoed new the regulator etc-on time without interfering with the hand operation of the device.

in order to secure the aforesaid results without detrecting'lroin the effectiveness of the device, l. pr vide mechanical clutches at the respective sides of the continuously oper ating regulator motor, by means of which theone-wuy motor rotation may produce a rotation of the movable member bf the regulater in either direction, according as the one or the other of the clutches is active. Each of the clutches is provided with an operating being actuated at the same time, and a brake is provided for speedily bringing the movable member of the regulator to rest when rangement of parts being such that the brake is only released when the one of the other of the clutches is active. I

One of the principal advantages in the regulator of my invention arises from the fact that the movable member of the regulator is made to speedily and precisely respond to the circuit variations while, at the same time, a relatively simple electric drivin motor may be employed. This will be evident to those skilled in the art who will easily recognize the feet that a motor of very much larger-capacity would be necessary if it were called upon to start from rest in accelerating the movable member of the regulator in the one direction. or theother.

Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings is a diagrammatic view or" a system of electric current distribution cmboc ying the regulator of my invention. Fig. 2 is an elevetion and Fig. 3 is a plan view showing the assembled operatin'g mechanism for the regu later of Fig. 1, certain of the parts being shown in section for the sake of clearness.

Referring to the drawings, the operating mechanism here shown comprises an electric driving motor 1 which is mounted on a base or casting 2 that preferably constitutes the friction clutches 3 and 4e, clutch-operating magnets 5 and 6, a brake 7, a wornnwheel segment 3, o. worm-gear 9 cooperating with the Wheel, the worm gear and each of the clutches, whereby continuous rotation of the motor may produce a rotation of the worm in either toe one direction or the other, according as the one or the other of the friction clutches is active.

The segment 8 is secured to the upper end of a shaft 10, which Forms part the rotating member of the regulator. The regulstor comprises-a stationery core member 11 having a winding 12 associated with it a movable coremember 13 having a winding i l, and an inclosiug casing or housing 15 in which the other parts are contained. The member 2,, on which the operating mechanism is mounted, constitutes the co 'er of the housing 15 and, if it is desired to operate the regulator hy-hand, the parts supported by the clutch magnets are denergized, the

top of the regulator casing, a pair of similarand interposed gearing between dle Ase the cover 2 may be removed as hereinafter set forth, a hand wheel. being substituted for the segment 8. The regulator may be adapted for use on either single phase or polyphase circuits, the system of distribution shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings comorising two-phase circuit connections merely ior purposes of illustration.-

The cover member 2 is provided with corn trally located boss projections 16 and 17 that extend outwardly from opposite sides and are suitably bored to constitute bearing for the upper end of the shaft 10, and a plurality of small boss projections 18 on which horizontal plate or support 19 is mounted. The member 19 is proxided with projections 20 which rest on the project-ions 18 of the cover member, and which sulliciently separate the two parts to permit the worm gear parts 8 and 9 to operate freely between t-heni,

The operating motor 1 comprises --i2 :sl3 tionary frame 21, which is mounted oaths horizontal plate 19 almost directly above the regulator shaft- 10, and a movable member 22 having a shaft 28 which is rotatably supported in suitable bearings provided, in the usual manner, in the stationary frame. The friction clutches 3 and s: severally comprise cups 2% which are secured to 0p posite ends of the motor shaft a d have outwardly tapering flanges 25, plug members 26 that are adapted to cooperate with the cups 25 and are adjustably mounted on shaft sections 2-7 and 28 which are su oported in bearings 29 and 3Qand are substantially in alinement with the motor shaft. The members 26 are provided with laminated leather rims 31 which are frusto-conical and are adapted to make frictional engagement with the inner tapered. surfaces of the flanges 25 The members Qtliare keyed to the shaft section on which they are supported in manner as to drive the shafts while they are, at the same time, adjustably supported thereon.

Gear wheels 32 and are secured to the outer ends of the respective shaft segments, the gear wheel 32 meshing with a gear 1 wheel 34:, which, in turn, meshes with a gear wheel 35.

wheel as The arrangement of parts is such that, when the clutch 3 is actuated, the rotation of the gear 83 by the motor 1 produces ll rotation of the gear wheel in one direczion, while opposite rotation of the rection or the other, according as the clutch 3 or is active.

The gear wheel 33 is also arranged to drive the gear 35 through a gear wheel 36, a shaft 37, a pinion 38 and a "lrictilm band or shoe (38 which is b tuated by U shaped levers 40, each of which is secured to one end of a shaft 11, which rotata'bly supported in bearing brackets 32 and 43, and to the opposite edge of which an operating lever all is securet. Each of the U shaped levers i0 is provided with inward projections 46, which extend between a shoulder l7 of lhe clutch member 236 and nuts 48 that are screwed upon a sleeve p11} jection 49 of the said clutch-member. pair of bifurcated levers 50 are rotatabliy supported upon a shaft -11 and are yieldingly connected to the levers 4.4 by means of interposed springs 51 that engage spring cups or recesses and 53 and are held in position by means of bolts or pins which extend through the two levers and serve to limit the relativemovement which is pernissible between them. The outer ends of the levers 50 are joined to each other and to the electromagnets 6 by a system of links.

The clectro-Inagnets 5 and 6 are symmetrically arrangvl. according to the levers 50, upon which they are adapted to act. Each of clectro-magnets comprises a stationary core member 55, a movable core member 56, a guide brac'ret 57 which limits the retative movement between the two members, coils 58 and 59 undo rod 60 which is secured to the movable core member 56 and projects from the guide bracket 57 and is connected at its outer end to a system of links. Midway between the rods 60 is E. stationarv N n bracket 61 to Wl1lCl1 a pair of links 614 and. 63 are pivotally secured. The outer ends of these links 52 and 63 are connected, re-

iectirely, to the ends of the rods 60 and are also joined together by a third link 64, the links 62, 63 and 64: forming a triangle, in the joints of which there is sufficient lost motion to permit one of the electro-magnets, when. energized, to raise the rod 60, as here-- iii-after pointed out, but, when one electromagnet is energized, it is impossible to actuate the other. The ends of the levers 50 are respectively connected to the adjacent corners of the triangle by means of links 65 and 66, which form such an angle with the links 6'2 and (33 that the action of the rod 66, when one of the clectrohiagnets is energized serves to produce a rotative movement of the corresponding lever 50, which, in turn, rotates thele er all, the shaft all, and the ll shaped lever 40 with which it is associated'.

The brake comprises a brake-wheel 67, which is secured to the shaft 37 havm .a

'ou h into engagement with wheel-by mean of a spring til). 'l he brake may be released by levers and 71, which act opposition to the spring. The lever 70 is connected by links 72-, T3 and 7% to the middle point of the link 6 1, the linlr 73 beingpivotally 1559 the links to the lever (O and releases supported at an intermediate point-upon: a' brackeu'io. The arrangement-of parts is' such that the nflovementof the link 74 which is produced when either of theelectro-n1agnets is energized, is transmitted through the brake. I

The brake for-ms noparts ot my presentinvention and may be replaced by any other suitable means-for quickly and automati cally' bringing the, regulator to-rest ase-soon as the electro magnets-are deenergized.

The electro magnetsare governed directly by a secondary-relay switch comprising a movable membenlfi, operating magnets 77 and 78 and stationary contact members 79, 80, 81 and 82. The secondary relay, in turn, is governedby a primary'relay '83 which may be of any suitable ineter construction that is adapted toselectivel'y energize the electro-magnets -77 and 78, so cording as the potential of the main circuit, under regulation, rises above or falls below a predetermined amount. The meter mecha nism may, of courseybe responsive to some other function of the-circuit, if desired; In order to prevent the movable member of the regulator from. being" carried beyond the limits of its normal movement, alimitswitch 84 is provided which is actuated by projections of the Wheelsegment 8- and serves to interrupt the circuits oi the clutch magnets 5 and 6.

The operation of and the circuit connec tions for the system are as hollows: Assuming that the motor 1 is operating at a substantially constant speed and that the clutches 3 and 4 are inactiveJthe various parts of the apparatus occupying the positions shown in the drawings; if the regulat tor is intended to maintain a constant potential on' a two-phase-distributing circuit 8586, 8788, which is supplied-With energy from a generator 89, and, ifthepoten tial falls slightlybelow the predetermined value, the meter relay 83 will first bring .the movable contact member 90 into engagement with contact member 91. L-l control circuit is then establi hed from conductor 92 of a low-voltage circuit 92--9 5, M 435, which may be derived from the main circuit, through conductor ilfi, contact members 90 and 91, conductor 97, electromagnet 78 and conductor 98 to conductor 93. Electro-inagnet 78, when energized,- brings movable contact members 100 and 101, respectively, into engagement with stationary contact members 82 and 81, thereby completing a circuit froinmonductor 96, through. contact members 100 and con.- ductor 96, through contact members 100 and 82, conductor 102, coil 58 of electrcmagnet 5, cmiduotor 103, Contact members 10land of limit switch and conductor 166 to conductor 93. The circuit for the will 59' of the same electrdmagnet, is completed through contact members 101 and 81 of thesecondary relay switch. The electrovrnagnet '5, when energized, releases the brake 7 and sets the clutch 3', as already described,- so that the motor rotation is transniittedthrough the shaft- 28', gears 33 and BS, shaft-37', gears 38, 3% and 35, shaft 39 and Wornrgears 9-and 8"-to the regulator shaft--10; Such 'rotative movement of: the regulator is thus produced as to correct the potential variation which occurred on the line and When-the correction is effected, the aneten relaybecomes" inactive, deenergizing the magnet 78, which, in turn, oi

the eleotro-magnetzo. When deenergized, the electric-magnet 5 permits-the spring 69 to apply the bra-he 7', and, at the-same time, 'i eleases the cluwfh E -so that the regulator is stopped instantly-while the motor 1 is per- =initted to rotate'withoutload. In a similar manner, the potentialof'the main circuit rises above the predetermined 'rineanw'alue', "the primary relay 83 will energize the elec tro-1nagnet 77, which, in turn, will cause the electro-magnet 6 to be energized and the clutch to'beactuated- The clutch i,- When-set, produces such a rotative movement of the regulator as to correct the voltage variationquist assuined:-

In operation, the regulator will, of course, is adjusted first in one direction and then in another, and, under'normal conditions,

from its mid position. If, for any reason, the regulator continues tomove in one do travel. isreached, either 'apawl 107 or a pawl 108 Will trip the limit switch to inter rupt the circuit ofthe energized clutch magnet.) i.

The limit switch illustrated comprises a base or bracket 110, a pair of sleeves 111 and a pair of-hellcranli levers 112, rotatably supported thereon, pawls 1'13 which are attachecl to the sleeves andcontact fingers which are secured to and insulated from.

the sleeves. The bell-crank levers are oppos sitely mounted-on a stud 1141- and are pro vided with latch projections which are respectively adapted to engage the extremities of the pawls- Springs 115 tend to cause the contact fingers, It move out of engagement With the coipera ting stationary contact -members, but their action is opposed by the bell-crank levers except when said'levers are tripped lxy'the pawls 107 or 108. The limit switch forms no part of this invention'and may be replaced by any other suitable means for accomplishing the same purpose.

The operating mechanism ticnmay obviously be utilized for other purposes in connection with motonoperated ,c-ontrollers and other electric apparatus iects the interruption of the circuits for will not be moved to any great distance rection "until the limit of its permissible of my inven- I and l desire to include Within the spirit and scope of my invention such structural modifications and. such adaptations as will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art.

I claim as my invention:

1. In electric apparatus, the combination with a movable member capable of a li. lted adjustment, of motor adapted to rotate continuously in one direction, two sets of interposed gearing for producing adjustments of the movable member in the one direction or the other, independent driving clutches adjacent to the motor and associ-- ated wth the two sets of gearing, electroresponsive means for selectively actuating the clutches, and mechanical means for preventing the setting of both clutches at the same time. i

2. In electric apparatus, the combination with a-movalole member capable of a limited ustinent in either direction, a brake for "holding the movable member at rest, a motor adapted to operate continuously in one direction, and two sets of interposed gearing for rendering the motor eli'ective in producing adjustments of the movable memher in either direction, of electro-responsive means for selectively completing driving connections between the motor and the two sets of gearing, said means being interlocked and connected with the brake by a system of links and levers to prevent both sets of gearing from being active at the same time, and to release the brake when either set'is active.

3. In a regulator, the combination with a stationary member, of a movable member associated thereof h and capable of a limited adjustment in either direction, oi a driving; motor adapted to operate continuously in one direction, two independent driving clutches located one on each'side of the motor, interposed. gears, electroresponsive means for selectivclj, actuating the clutches, and mechanical means for so interlocking the electro-responsive means as to preclude the concurrent actuation of the clutches.

l. in a. regulator, the combination with a mo able member, and a adapted to operate continuously in the same Q direction, of two sets of interposed gears for producing opposite rotary adjustments of the movable member, and friction clutches one on each side of the motor and between the motor and the respective sets of gears, means i selectively"actuating the clutches and means for indenerclentl v adjusting the pi-esiu'ire exerted on each of the clutches.

I. The combination with a movable member and a brake therefor, of a continuously operating motor and interposed gearing ror 1 transmitting; the motion of the motor to the movable member, said gearing comprising l l l member for cil'ccting rotation of said in driving clutches to the motor, means for releasing the brake when ei 'b a of the clutches is set, and for Til l1 i. ing the clutch that is seti ien the movable member has reached predetermined posi tions.

6. The combination with movable merber, bralre f r holding the movable me i her at rest and a continuously operrtin motor, of a pai r of clutches associat Y the motor for eiiecting oppositer. connections between the motor and the mm able member, means for sel ctively octane ing the clutches, means for releas 3 brake when either of the clutches ac ated, and means for rele the clutch that is set when the mov to member has reached predetermined pos' e '7. The combination with a movable memher, a brake for holding the movable member at rest and a continuously operating motor, of a pair of clutches associ v the motor for effecting opposite connections between the moto" able member, electroinagnct 1 actuating the clutches, means for prevent-- ing both clutch es from being actu at the same time, and means for releasing the brake when either of the clutches actuated.

8. The combination with a movable oer, a continuously operating driving therefor and a brake for holding able member at rest, of intcrposeiil gearing,

between the motor and the movable me be), comprising normally rel-ac e; chi means for mechanically conne clutches and ea L brake to ,nreven tins of both clutches at the same time and to cl set the releaseof the brake when either of the clutches is set.

0 The combination with same time.

10. W ne con'ibination with movable member, a brill-fie associated therewith, a continuously rum-rating; motor and suitable gearing between the motor and the movable 2nber in either direction, said gearing" comprising a pair of normally released clutches, ofactuating levers for the clutches, electromagnets for actuating the lovers, toggle links for relitving the electromagnets when the clutches are set and means for so interconnecting the links brake to s a s oprevent the setting of both clutches at the same time and to release the brake when either clutcl1;is set.

11. The combination with a continuously operating motor. a pair of clutches associated therewith composed of relatively stationary clutch members secured to the motor shaitt relatively movable clutch members cooperating with the stationary, members, actuating levers for the movable clutch members each composed of two springconnected parts for maintaining a constant clutch pressure when the clutch is set and means for adjusting the tension of the con necting spring, and electro-responsive means for actuating the levers.

12. In an induction regulator, the combination with a stationary member and a movable member associated therewith and capable of limited adjustment in either direction, of a brake for said movable member, 21 pair of driving clutches, interposed gears and electro-responsive means for selectively actuating the clutches, said electro- Letters Patent No; i,l16,432

Correction responsive means being so interlocked as to preclude concurrent actuation of the clutches and to release the brake when either of the clutches is actuated.

13. The combination with a movable member, a brake for said member, and a continuously operating motor,-of a pair of clutches coacting with said motor, means for operatively connecting said clutches to said movable member, means comprising solenoids for actuating the clutches, means comprising mechanical connections for preventing the simultaneous actuation of the clutches, and means for releasing said clutches when said movable memloer has reached predetermined positions.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 26th day of Jan, 1910.

HENRY 1). JAMES.

Witnesses i H. E. MGWILTRY, B. B. Hines.

it is hereby certified that iii Letters Patentllo. 1,116,432., granted November 10, 15114. upon the application of Henry James, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, for an improvement in Regulators for Electric Circuits, an error appears in the printed specification requiring correctiones follows: Page 3, lines ill/-62, strike out the Words and reference numerals ccmductor 96, through contact members 100 and 82;

and that the said Letters Patent should he read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Olfice,

Signed and sealed this 15th day of December, A. D., 19M.

J. T. NEWTON,

Acting Commissioner 0 f Patents. 

